Blunkett criticised over vocational GCSEs

The NTO National Council has criticised the education minister
David Blunkett for not consulting employers over plans to make vocational
education more mainstream.

The new council, set up to oversee post-16 education, criticised
the plans because they did not outline a clear role for employers.

Blunkett wants to create vocational GCSE programmes for 14
to 16 year olds and to encourage them to take apprenticeships.

“The very fact that this announcement did not involve or set
out a role for employers working through NTOs demonstrates how far we have to
go to shift the rhetoric of Whitehall to the reality of the workplace,” said
chief executive Andy Powell.

“Good ideas depend upon the commitment of others, in this
case teachers and employers, to make them happen.”